Contents
Characteristics, composition and benefits of egg yolk
What is egg yolk?
The egg yolk is the round part of the inside of the egg.
It contains xanthophylls that give it a yellowish or orange color in some cases, which may vary depending on the animal’s diet, the treatment or cooking to which the egg is induced.
For example, if we exceed the cooking time, it can develop a grayish color.
Sometimes, we can find eggs with two or more yolks inside. This is due to the young age of the laying hen, which causes a lack of synchronization in her ovulation.
Eggs containing more than one yolk are equally edible, with no risk to the consumer’s health.
What does an egg yolk contain?
The egg yolk has a viscous texture in its raw state. It is easily separable from the egg white thanks to a membrane called the vitelline membrane that covers and protects it in turn. As with the egg white, if it is taken to cook it hardens.
This fraction of the egg contains various nutrients. The main ones are the following:
- A high fat content, which provides a good supply of calories, which give us energy.
- A part of the proteins.
- B vitamins, vitamin A and vitamin D
- Minerals such as iron, phosphorus, calcium, or sulfur.
The yolk represents about 30% of the whole egg.
What is egg yolk used for?
Apart from eating it fried or boiled, it is often used as the main ingredient in tortillas, either alone or in combination with vegetables, fish, or meat.
It can also be present in various culinary preparations such as sauces in some combination of fat, such as “ajoaceite” or as an ingredient in many desserts, such as cakes or pastry creams.
The yolk is rich in antioxidants
Egg yolks are rich in antioxidants, especially lutein and zeaxanthin. Numerous studies have demonstrated the role of these two components in preventing eye diseases, particularly vision loss due to macular degeneration and night blindness.
In addition to these two components, it should not be forgotten that the egg yolk is among the foods richest in vitamin A, a vitamin that is considered a good antioxidant.
Vitamin A deficiency, among other things, is responsible for numerous eye problems such as night blindness, lack of vision, dry eyes, lack of tearing, redness of the eyes, etc.
Egg yolk is rich in vitamin B
Egg yolk contains abundant B vitamins, especially choline. Choline is responsible for the formation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is necessary for the proper functioning of nerve impulses in the brain.
Without choline, imbalances can occur in the brain that manifest as inappropriate behavior, emotional problems, and memory loss.
Choline is very interesting in pregnancy to maintain the health of the fetus. The high folic acid content also contributes to this aspect.
No less important are other B vitamins, especially riboflavin and pantothenic acid, in functions as important as food metabolism, nerve health, the immune system and the health of hair, nails and skin.
Egg yolk is rich in vitamin D
Egg yolk is among the foods richest in vitamin D.
Vitamin D allows the absorption of calcium, thus contributing to the proper maintenance of teeth and bones.
It is also very important for maintaining healthy arteries, nerve health, and the proper functioning of the heart and digestive system.
Its vitamin D content makes it very interesting for ovo-vegetarians, that is, vegetarians who include eggs in their diet, since vitamin D is practically nonexistent in plant-based foods.
More information on eggshells and eggs
